In Thais of Trouble

I've been watching with some alarm the number of pigeons around the Government buildings, and thinking it's only a matter of time before they attempt a coo.

I've waited five years to crack that joke, so let me savour it a while...... ahh, nice.

Well, I'm fine, if a little upset at the authorities for blocking my access to my blog. I got around it with the help of a UK proxy (no, that's not contagious Lynny.)

As far as the troubles go, I haven't personally seen anything untoward. There seems to be a certain amount of complacency here, because people genuinely believe in the King's power to step in and stop the troubles if it goes too far. I'm not convinced, and Thai law prevents speaking bad words about the King, so open discussion is not possible.

For now it's business as usual for expats, but if that changes I'll be on the first plane home I assure you.

What did we get upto this weekend?

Hi All

This is my first attempt at posting on our Russell's Blog and I have already put all the photos in the wrong order!!! (and do not know how to change the order- if you can at all) At least I know what to do for next time.

Well this weekend was all about the birthday boy - Tony. Not going to give away your age Tony so no worries there but a good weekend was had by all.

We did the pub thing on Saturday where there were at one point more of our party than everyone else in the pub! There was Ann & Tony, Martin and myself, Brenda and Elaine, Staurt and Jason and Tracy and Peter and friends. Bernie and Hilary came along with baby boy Jack who is coming on leaps and bounds now. Saturday being in fact Jack's expected date of arrival.

We celebrated Tony's official birth day on Sunday by having a lovely boat ride down the canal to Buxsworth basin whereby Ann again surpassed herself and made a lovely Pork Roast Dinner finished wish lashings of lovely Apple Pie and cream. We were joined by Phil (and his robotic foot!) who we had not seen for a while but seems to be recovering well from his Ankle Operation.

Again, sorry about the pictures but I am sure you can figure our the order now I have given you the low down!

Getting quite nifty with this camera thing now. Have realised though I do need some bigger handbags to fit it in!!

Thai me down

So there I was, bashing away at the drums happily, when the maintenance chap arrived to fettle the aircon in the main bedroom. (It's been broken for a few days now so I've been sleeping in the spare room - NO chance of sleep without aircon if you're remotely English.)
So I let him in and he noticed the drums, and asked me to play! Well of course I obliged in my still-learning-but-proud-of-my-coolness way. He then informed me that his little helper guy plays. After some mangled english/thai conversation, the helper guy has a go on the drums - and plays like a pro! Just goes to show, no matter where you are, pride goes before a fall.

In other news, Lyn arrives on Wednesday, and I couldn't be more excited. We'll probably spend the first week having the obligatory arguments, then all will be fine. Hope she doesn't mind living with a large set of drums in the living room. I have kept the plant alive though.

In other news, I've blagged a week in New Mills working from home in November. So no more long stretches alone, hurrah.

In other news, my Offshore account is now up and running, so I can start counting the reasons for being here.

In other news, I found a squash club and had a game. However a permanent membership would be £1000 per year and I can't justify that so that will probably be my last game. Shame.

In other news, I've just read back through this article and it's boring. I'll try to come up with a quality item before the weekend's out. Maybe I need to venture out with the trusty phone/camera....

Oooh, she's a one

I don't know what the surprised expression is about.....

Some bits and bobs

Just to prove I'm not obsessed with 14 year old boys, here are some things I thought I'd share.




No, that's not the bonnet of a car - it's the motorcycle taxi guy's hat. This is my uninterrupted view as I hurtle along every morning on the way to work.





These two young ladies (names to follow) make my dinner two or three times a week.




Second best form of transport in Bangkok. This fellow is always at the end of our soi. Never seen him working. unless this is work, in which case I'd like a job.

Giant Schoolkids Part 2

This big fella has the western style low-slung kecks going on.

Making secret signals to me. Am I paranoid?

Er.. ah, this one's actually an elephant. My mistake.

Giant Schoolkids Part 1

As promised, a piece about the amazing phenomenon which is "Giant Schoolkid Syndrome". I won't explain because it's bleeding obvious. No sod that, I will explain, because it's my bloody blog, it's my sodding syndrome and I took the pigging photos ALRIGHT? (**Note from editor: good alliteration Russell, but CALM DOWN.)

These lads are no more that 14. They always appear in white shirts and short trousers, white ankle socks, and surly expressions. That alone proves they're 14. They completely dwarf the rest of the Thai population, outmassing them by oh, I'd guess 20 percent. They're everywhere and I hate them. I envy them thier youth and their size, but NOT their dress sense.

Some examples: (More to follow)

No normal humans here to give context, but believe me this guy is immense.

This particular specimen is head and shoulders above his peers, meaning I had to "Peer" around him (guffaw) to have my usual view of the rest of the train...

This one can't even be captured on one image he's so large. Good example of the lower-leg-fashion-disaster though.

I honestly believe that in 20 or 30 years there will be no small Thai people any more, and I for one will miss them. Anyway, I'll keep snapping these guys and we can maybe start a campaign to get western food OUT of Thailand....